Bible Studies, Inspired by Faith and Science

We're up to the final study in Daniel now, with prophecies that might be apocalyptic - end of days - or might just herald a new world order - the New Testament world. What do you think? Enjoy. (53) The End of Days and the Start of a New World Order Critics believe Daniel’s vision moves toward end-times prophecy at Daniel 11:35. Many Jews believe the king in verse 36 is the Antichrist. Many Christians agree, viewing this as prophecy of Christ’s return, matching the destruction of the image in chapter 2 and the destruction of the horn in chapter 7 ( Daniel 2:44-45, Daniel 7:11-14 ). 1.        Read Daniel 11:36-39 a.        Who or what do you imagine as you read this? b.       What might be a god of fortresses? c.        What is the king’s attitude to God or gods? d.       What is his attitude to women (The one desired of women is someti...

Daniel's final vision contains a lot of history... and some things that we haven't yet managed to interpret as historical. Here's some of the history. The next study just might move into the future... or not... (52) Daniel and History Daniel’s 4 th vision contains a lot of history… does that mean the vision is no longer relevant? Just to recap: 1.        Daniel 7 takes place during Babylon’s decline, presents a statue representing 4 kingdoms – Babylon, Medo-Persian, Greek, then ten-toed Rome (like Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2) 2.        Daniel 8, taking place under Medo-Persian rule, represents kingdoms with animals and horns, predicting the quartering of Greece’s empire and offering hope for the days of Antiochus Epiphanes. 3.        Daniel’s fourth vision begins toward the end of the exile (though Daniel will remain at the Persian court). Here’s where he learns what’s writte...

The new year started and we went back into Daniel, hoping to finish our study of the prophets soon. Since this study will end with John the Baptist - an appropriate book-end with Samuel - we've decided to move straight into a Chronological study of the Gospels next. But first, here are the last few studies from the prophets - with all their attendant numerical and apocalyptical complexities. (51) Daniel’s Numbers Daniel is often remembered for obscure visions and strange numbers. We’ve already looked at how important symbolic numbers can be in prophesy—3 for God’s certainty, 2 for man’s trust, 4 for the earth, 7 for God’s plan, 10 for man’s counting, 12 for God’s choice… But Daniel uses real numbers too—360 days in a year, 7 days in a week, etc. Going back to Daniel’s vision of Alexander and the history to follow him… Read Daniel 8:11-14 1.        A mathematical question. A generic year was 360 days long. How many years is 2,300 days? 2. ...

It's the end of another Coffee Break Bible Study year, which doesn't seem at all possible. But here we are, back at Daniel, looking at his future that's already our past, before we start with everybody's future in September. Enjoy. Shortly before the Medo-Persian conquest (i.e. before Cyrus, and before the last parts of Isaiah and Zechariah were being read to the Jews of the return) Daniel, still at the Babylonian court, received some amazing visions. Remembering that prophecy often has three applications – to the time of the prophet, to a time of trials when comfort comes from God, and to a future event – we’re going to look at how Daniel’s visions applied (and were applied) to future of his people – and to the present day (which doesn’t mean this is the end of days – just that this could be one of many future times of trials). Daniel’s first vision concerns four winds, four beasts, eleven horns, and the Ancient of Days. 1.        Read Daniel 7:1-6 ...